As well as explaining what, exactly, it is, PALRO can read out weather forecasts, access the internet and take a picture with a head-mounted camera. The latter is particularly nifty, responding to a voice instruction to take a shot, spotting the most likely subject automatically, asking them if they consent to be photographed and then giving a choice of places to wireless send the result.

Still, it's the plaintive "Please be good to me!" halfway through the video below that really strikes a chord. Right now, PALRO is on sale to educational establishments, priced at 298,000 yen ($3,596).